Some might say that travelling to London in January is a bold choice… freezing temperatures, unpredictable rain and shorter days. But for Aditya Seal, it was the perfect time. With no overwhelming tourist crowds, the city’s charm was wrapped in winter’s crisp embrace. Armed with layers (and a stubborn sense of adventure), Aditya, his wife Anushka Ranjan and his mother, Manju Seal, braved the cold to experience London in a more intimate and cosy way. This trip wasn’t just about sightseeing; it was about creating memories and introducing his mother to the city’s history, food and culture. They indulged in impromptu shopping at Camden Market and navigated the local pub scene. From iconic landmarks to spontaneous moments, every day brought something new. And despite the occasional rain throwing their plans into disarray, London never failed to impress the Seal family.

Why London?

London was my mother’s choice. I had visited London a few times before and I felt it would offer a variety of experiences. Beyond sightseeing, we had always read and heard about London’s iconic landmarks, so we made sure to visit them. We did the most typical tourist activities because it was my mother’s first time there. I wanted to show her all the must-see spots, the ones you simply have to visit when experiencing London for the first time. Our time was limited to just eight days, so our schedule was pretty packed. Each day, we were out from morning till night, trying to see as much as possible. I wanted to give her the best experience. We visited all the must-see places, including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye and of course, the famous shopping streets.

Trip Highlights

We arrived on January  21 and returned on the 30th. On our first day, we used the hop-on, hop-off bus service. My sister was also with us. It was her first trip to London as well. We wanted to show them as many places as possible. We visited Big Ben and Tower Bridge, taking a boat ride to Tower Bridge. We also went to Buckingham Palace and drove around various parts of London. Other memorable experiences included taking my mother to a pub. I wanted to introduce her to the pub culture. We also booked tickets for The Lion King musical, which I felt was an essential experience. I’d seen it before and thought it was absolutely fabulous. On other days, we walked from Trafalgar Square all the way to Oxford Street, passing through Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and along Regent and Bond Streets. We also visited the Natural History Museum and the British Museum. While we were there, it rained twice, which threw off our plans a bit. But we were prepared for the cold weather. Once you’re properly layered up, the only part of you that feels the cold is your face.

Southhall calling

One place that really stood out to me, as I had never been there before, was Southall. The moment I arrived, I was absolutely amazed. The atmosphere, the energy, the people… it felt like stepping into a different world within London. The most striking part? The train station. The signs were written in Punjabi, which was such a surreal moment. Southall felt unlike the rest of London. Walking through the streets, it almost felt like I had been transported to a part of India. The food, the shops, the language… everything had such a strong South Asian influence. It was vibrant, lively and had a completely different feel compared to central London. What made it even more special was experiencing it with my mother. Seeing her reaction, watching her take it all in, was something I won’t forget. It was as if we had found a little piece of home in a foreign country.

Food paradise

Camden Market has a fantastic food market, offering a variety of cuisines including Indian, Thai and Japanese. Another thing we had quite a bit of was fish and chips,  it’s the most quintessentially British dish. But what I’ve noticed in London is how incredibly diverse the food scene is.  

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We also had the chance to try authentic Chinese food, and we dined at an Italian restaurant called CIRO’s, which I would recommend to anyone. As Indians, we also gravitate towards chai. Luckily for us, my mom loves her chai and always keeps her premixes with her. So, we didn’t end up having “chai tea” while we were there, despite a local persistently trying to sell it to us.

You can find all kinds of cuisine there. Indian food, in particular, is very popular. My mother loves her Indian cuisine, so we made sure to take her to a couple of Indian restaurants. One place we visited was Dishoom, which had about a 40-minute wait. Their most famous dish was Chicken Tikka Masala. I’d highly recommend both Fat Pandit and Dishoom. Fat Pandit serves Indian Chinese and although it’s a unique blend, they offer some great options. We also took my mother to try Vietnamese ramen and sushi, although I don’t think she’s too fond of them.

Shopping haven

If you’re looking for branded products, Oxford Street and Regent Street are the places to go. There are also many places that sell branded items at discounted prices. For those seeking even more shopping opportunities, Bicester Village is a popular destination, though it’s a bit outside London. It’s especially frequented by tourists looking for designer bargains. For a more unique shopping experience, Camden Market is highly recommended. While you won’t find branded stores there, it has a very distinct, almost hippie vibe. The area is full of graffiti, and you’ll come across all sorts of one-of-a kind items.

Anushka once picked up a DIY phone cover there, where they give you coloured glue and charms to customise it as you wish. We even picked one up for my nieces this time. I picked up a jacket with a Van Gogh print on it. Anushka did spot a bag at one of the stalls that she really loved. She didn’t end up buying it, so I decided to get it for her. I just wanted to do something nice for her without her knowing.

Nightlife ahoy!

A lot of people tend to have Guinness but it wasn’t quite to our taste. I ordered a Porn Star Martini, which is a bit sweeter. My mom enjoyed it too. In the evenings, Anushka and I ended up going out a few times with some friends, as mom grew tired by the end of the day. We hit the local pubs and bars.  The vibe was just so lively. It had such a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.n

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